ed, with considerable
calculation, a measure of the velocity of impact. Latterly the
electro-ballistic pendulum, which by means of electric currents is made
to register with very great accuracy the time occupied by the projectile
in passing over a measured space, has superseded it, as being more
accurate, less cumbrous, and less laborious in its accompanying
calculations.

BALLIUM. A plot of ground in ancient fortifications: called also
_baiky_.

BALLOCH. Gaelic for the discharge of a river into a lake.

BALLOEN. A Siamese decorated state-galley, imitating a sea-monster, with
from seventy to a hundred oars of a side.

BALL-OFF, TO. To twist rope-yarns into balls, with a running end in the
heart for making spun-yarn.

BALLOON-FISH (_Tetraodon_). A plectognathous fish, covered with spines,
which has the power of inflating its body till it becomes almost
globular.

BALLOW. Deep water inside a shoal or bar.

BALL-STELL. The geometrical instrument named _della stella_.

BALLY. A Teutonic word for inclosure, now prefixed to many sea-ports in
Ireland, as Bally-castle, Bally-haven, Bally-shannon, and Bally-water.

BALSA, OR BALZA. A South American tree, very porous, which grows to an
immense height in a few years, and is almost as light as cork. Hence the
balsa-wood is used for the surf-boat called _balsa_. (_See_ JANGADA.)

BALTHEUS ORIONIS. The three bright stars constituting Orion's Belt.

BALUSTERS. The ornamental pillars or pilasters of the balcony or
galleries in the sterns of ships, dividing the ward-room deck from the
one above.

BAMBA. A commercial shell of value on the Gold Coast of Africa and below
it.

BAMBO. An East Indian measure of five English pints.

BAMBOO (_Bambusa arundinacea_). A magnificent articulated cane, which
holds a conspicuous rank in the tropics from its rapid growth and almost
universal properties:--the succulent buds are eaten fresh and the young
stems make excellent preserves. The large stems are useful in
agricultural and domestic implements; also in building both houses and
ships; in making baskets, cages, hats, and furniture, besides sails,
paper, and in various departments of the Indian _materia medica_.

BAMBOOZLE, TO. To decoy the enemy by hoisting false colours.

BANANA (_Musa paradisiaca_). A valuable species of plantain, the fruit
of which is much used in tropical climates, both fresh and made into
bread. Gerarde named it Adam's apple from a notion that it was the
f